The Window-Gazer eBook

“I can’t come in by the front door,”
he explained, “on account of my boots.
And I can’t come in by the back door on account
of Extra Help. I intended getting in eventually
by the cellarway, but, if you want me, that would
take too long. Besides, I wanted to show you how
neatly I can shin up a post.”

He smiled at her cheerfully. He was damp and
flushed, but much brisker than Desire had thought.
He did not look at all raglike. For the first
time since their homecoming she seemed to see him with
clear eyes. And she found him changed. He
was younger. Some of the lines had smoothed out
of his forehead. His face showed its cheekbones
less sharply and his hair dipped charmingly, like an
untidy boy’s. His shirt was open at the
throat. He did not look like a professor at all.
Desire momentarily experienced what Dr. John had called
a “heightening of vibration.”

“Anything that I can do,” offered he helpfully.

“The best thing will be to stop doing,”
suggested desire. “Don’t you know
that you’re accessory to a reception this afternoon?
Of course you are only the host, but it looks better
to have the host unwilted.”

“Like the salad? I hadn’t thought
of that. In fact I’m afraid I haven’t
been giving the matter serious attention. I must
consult my secretary. How else should a host
look?”

“He should look happy.”

Benis noted this on his cuff.

“Yes?”

Desire’s eyes began to sparkle.

“If he is a bridegroom, as well as a host, he
should be careful to look often at the bride.”

“No chance,” said Spence gloomily.
“Not with the mob that’s coming.”

“Above all, he looks after his least attractive
lady guests. And he never on any account slips
away for a smoke with a stray gentleman friend.”

The professor’s gloom lightened. “Is
there going to be a stray gentleman friend? Did
old Bones promise?”

Desire nodded triumphantly.

“First time in captivity,” murmured Spence.
“How on earth did you manage it?”

“Sorry, old man,” said Spence regretfully.
“It’s against the rules to kiss one’s
secretary.”

Again they both laughed. But was it fancy, or
was this laugh a trifle less spontaneous than the
other? “Gracious!” said Desire, suddenly
in a hurry, “I’ve hardly left myself time
to dress.”

CHAPTER XXII

I may be said with fairness that the reception given
by Miss Campion for her nephew’s bride left
Bainbridge thoughtful. They had expected the
bride to be different, and they had found her to be
different from what they had expected. They could
not place her; and, in Bainbridge, everyone is placed.